At a time when many people will be thinking about their New Year’s resolutions, Blackburn with Darwen Council health bosses are urging smokers who are considering quitting this January to take advantage of free support to improve their health and save money.

A health event hosted by Blackburn with Darwen’s Health and Wellbeing Board last month saw over 100 people – including residents and health professionals – gather together to talk about health and wellbeing in the borough.

Two areas of Blackburn have seen new improvements following investment of section 106 monies.

Approved by the Council six months ago, local communities have this month taken delivery of new improvements that have been funded from larger local developments in both Shear Brow and Bastwell respectively.

As Blackburn Foodbank approaches their third Christmas since being formed just over two years ago, Blackburn with Darwen Council are again supporting their drive for food donations, with winter being a busy time for the Foodbank’s volunteers.

Volunteers are visiting residents at both the Hospital and the Hospice on Christmas Day to give presents and spend some time with people who may not have anyone able to visit them at this special time of year.

All UK children are offered Meningococcal C (Men C) vaccine to protect against MenC infection but, as the protection offered by the vaccine in pre-school children can wane, a booster for teenagers at school was introduced and also offered to students from August this year.